Trump vows to keep ‘American Dream’ alive by protecting US homes from big corporate buyers. Here’s the explosive opportunity for small investors

Trump emphasized that “people live in homes, not corporations,” adding that he’ll lay out additional housing and affordability proposals at the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The announcement sent shockwaves through the market. Shares of Blackstone (BX) — the world’s largest alternative asset manager with more than $1.2 trillion in assets under management — tumbled as much as 9.3% before closing down 5.6% on Jan. 7. Single-family rental REITs were hit as well: American Homes 4 Rent (AMH) slid 4.3%, while Invitation Homes (INVH) fell 6.0%.

Institutional investors don’t dominate the housing market — but they still play a notable role. A 2023 report from Parcl Labs found that institutions own 3.4% of U.S. single-family homes — and the biggest players, those holding more than 1,000 units, account for only 0.73% (2).

Yet their activity has had measurable effects.

A research paper from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia found that the surge in institutional buyers in the single-family residential market between 2006 and 2014 contributed to 58% of the increase in the real house price growth during that period — and that these institutional investors were responsible for 75% of the decline in homeownership rates (3).

Other experts, however, point to a deeper, structural issue: supply. In 2024, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned, “The real issue with housing is that we have had and are on track to continue to have, not enough housing (4).” He pointed to the difficulty of finding and zoning land in desirable areas, asking, “Where are we going to get the supply?”

A recent Zillow report estimates the U.S. faces a shortage of 4.7 million homes (5).

Given those dynamics, it’s no surprise that investors — including institutional ones — continue to view real estate as a long-term opportunity. The asset class can generate passive income through rent and offers a built-in hedge against inflation. When inflation rises, property values and rental income often rise alongside the cost of living, creating a natural buffer and a dependable stream of cash flow.

And here’s the twist: Even as policymakers debate how to rein in big players, ordinary investors don’t have to sit on the sidelines. New platforms and strategies now let everyday Americans tap into real estate opportunities without needing deep pockets — or a bidding war.

Become a real estate mogul — starting with $100

Traditionally, buying an investment property means saving for a sizable down payment, securing a mortgage, purchasing the home, finding tenants and handling the day-to-day management. That’s a tall order in a market defined by elevated prices and high interest rates.

But crowdfunding platforms like Arrived offer an easier way to get exposure to this income-generating corner of real estate.

Backed by world class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.

In other words, instead of one giant investor buying many homes, it’s many small investors owning slices of a single property.

The process is simple: Browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you’d like to purchase and then sit back as you start receiving any positive rental income distributions from your investment.

Be the landlord of Walmart

If you’ve ever been a landlord, you know how important it is to have reliable tenants.

Now, picture that tenant being a Fortune 500 company. Of these, how do grocery stores sound?

That’s where First National Realty Partners (FNRP) comes in. The platform allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.

With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to triple net leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.

Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties.

Invest alongside a $12B AUM real estate owner

Owning a rental property sounds great — until something goes wrong. One bounced check and your rental income disappears.

But institutional investors don’t face that problem. Their portfolios are diversified across hundreds — sometimes thousands — of units.

Now, accredited investors can tap into that same approach through platforms such as Lightstone DIRECT, giving you access to institutional-quality multifamily and industrial real estate — with a minimum investment of $100,000.